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Science

Science

The study of Science entails practical laboratory work (experiments) along with the study of theory. In the modern world where advances in Science and Technology are bringing great changes to our lives, the study of Science is particularly relevant to help people assess the implication of these developments.

The study of Science at Junior Certificate level involves the study of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Applied Science.

Junior Certificate Science marks are distributed as follows:

Coursework A - 10% (Experiments and investigations specified in the syllabus)

Science branches into 3 separate subjects for the Leaving Certificate:

Biology.

Chemistry.

Physics.

Coursework BStudent Investigations Each student is required to undertake two specified investigations in their third year and to submit a pro forma report on these for assessment. These additional investigations, based on the topics and learning outcomes in the syllabus, will be set by the examining body and will vary from year to year. These investigations account for 25% of the students final Junior Certificate grade and will require substantial time investment, by the student, during the year. Students will be notified of the investigation titles well in advance of the laboratory time they will be allocated to conduct the investigations, and this laboratory time-slot cannot be altered. DES deadlines for submission by the students of their report must be adhered to, and, in order to prevent missed deadlines, students are expected to exercise due diligence in the preparation, planning and conduct of their chosen investigations. Students who fail to do so will not be given additional time, and reports still incomplete come deadline, will be submitted as is.

2018 Junior Certificate Science Coursework B – Investigation Titles

Biology

Investigate and compare the quantitative effects of changing

(a) concentration of solution,

(b) type of solute used

on the change in mass of a sample of potato placed in distilled water, salt solution and sugar solution.

Chemistry

Investigate and compare the quantitative effects of changing

(a) applied voltage,

(b) concentration of sulfuric acid

on the rate of production of either hydrogen or oxygen gas during the electrolysis of acidified water.

Physics

Investigate and compare the quantitative effects of changing

(a) hair colour,

(b) the usage of shampoo or similar commercial hair treatments

on the tensile strength of hair taken from the human head.

Downloads

We have developed a blank copy of the Coursework for your use. It differs slightly from the state examinations booklet in that we have specified how many resources you reference, how many safety aspects you must specify, etc...(Note - these numbers are a minimum). A copy of a blank Coursework B booklet can be found here.

Additional coursework B material can be found in the table below to help you with your projects.

Note:There is a shortage of people in Ireland with training in Science and Technology to meet our current needs. It is also important to remember that a Science subject is required at Leaving Cert level for some third level courses, e.g. Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, Food Science etc.

Students' Corner:

Jeonah Roperoz (1.1) recently suggested the following to remember the characteristics of life: